I liked him as a player. The really funny thing is to see the second hit that comes up on Google when you search his name. In addition to what Zman said above, this gives you an idea of why he might be linked with the Union
Stewart would be a major acquisition if the Union can get him. It did not sound like he was keen on returning to MLS in a front office role a few years ago but hopefully Sugarman can reel him across the pond. Another Stewart story - he and Freddy Adu were teammates with DCU in 2004. He gave Adu a trial with AZ last summer. When asked why he did not sign Adu after the trial, Stewart said Adu had not improved since he played with him 10 years ago. Just based on that player evaluation alone, he is better than what the Union have had in that role.
I'd be shocked if we actually pull this off. Hopefully it isn't just the Union spreading rumors about an unlikely candidate as a PR move. I'm pretty damn cynical about the team at this point.
Sak was the one who name dropped to the press (usually NY based) for the Bedoya pursuit, Bradley pursuit, Zambrano talks, etc. Not sure who is the press leaker in the new regime.
Since Nick is no longer here, let's see if the club has a higher success rate at closing deals on names that get leaked.
Being the Union coach would give Earnie more visibility to eventually take over another toxic coaching situation: the USMNT. Just throwing it out there...
656612794117332992 is not a valid tweet id Other SD candidate is Fredi Bobic - formerly SD of Stuttgart and Chemomorats (Bulgaria). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredi_Bobic
We also pursued Rodelfo Borell as a TD and Fabio Cannavaro as manager. Pursuing doesn't mean anything. I'm not getting my hopes up.
A reserved, Hogan's Heroes-esque "veeerrrrry interesting" stance about the whole thing at the moment.
Loved Earnie Stewart as a player. Very impressed with his experience in the Dutch league. Has Euro and USMNT connections. Seems like an ideal hire. Schooled in the 4-3-3. Would love to see the Union play a Dutch-style 4-3-3 as our default formation. Doubt he would come here but maybe he'd be tempted since he'd have control over the Academy, USL, and MLS teams. He could really put his own stamp on a MLS organization. Also, amazing how fast the Union are being linked to really quality Sporting Director candidates now that Sak is gone. I don't think that is a coincidence.
A few observations: * I have to believe Sak was absolutely an obstacle in the Sporting Director hiring process unless he had some sort of influence (i.e. Zambrano). Anyone who wanted total control was likely never going to have it with him meddling in the mix. * as far as the failed pursuits of Bedoya, Bradley, Borrell, etc. - they were always mentioned after the fact to show the Union were trying to do something but ended up with nothing. Same with Zambrano timing - no movement on a Sporting Director until his name gets dropped just days before Sak was axed. Cannavarro was the only one mentioned as a candidate for anything who was still in play. Bottom line - Sak would feed this info to his NY press boys to make it look like he was doing more than he was. * the Sporting Director role in Philly is a glass half-full opportunity for a true soccer executive (owner is willing to give him the keys to run the whole show without much interference - set direction for new USL team and academy, improve 1st team performance that can not get much worse, good stadium and fan base) as opposed to a glass half-empty scenario that an imported SD might prefer (team will not just throw $$$$ at the problem like high payroll teams, Philly/Chester not a "beautiful" city to quote one-time Union target Robert Pires). * have to think Stewart is the #1 choice given track record of improving teams with limited $ using Moneyball principles in a league known for player development - his MLS and USMNT experience (and ability to fluently speak English) all work in his favor. A few years ago, he seemed somewhat against a return to MLS based on roster rules, some of which he felt did not reward good performance was more common during his MLS playing days in 2004. Since that time, salary budget $ have doubled, minimum salaries have significantly increased, DPs are allowed, team retain a portion of transfer fees received, good team get additional $ for Champions League - it may make for a more inviting opportunity for Stewart than when he made his earlier statement about a MLS return. * AZ's Academy Director (Aloys Wijnker) has been linked to a US job but no mention of where - have to wonder if he might tag along with Stewart if he comes here. If both were to come here, question would be if he would head the Union Academy (currently headed by Tommy Wilson) or be a candidate for the Bethlehem head coach job. * Bobic seems like a Plan B option. He is a TV and newspaper pundit (he covers Europa League games on TV) - I am guessing he can get out of that employment fairly easy (Stewart may also be able to leave quickly as well - probably would not want to stick around too long so AZ can line up someone else to handle the January transfer window). Bobic's transfer policy with Stuttgart was generally not as a big spender and typically brought in more $ than he spent. The exception was the 2014-2015 season when they spent quite a bit more ($11M or so) than they received, started the season poorly (3 losses, 1 tie) and he was sacked. He has Sporting/Football Director experience in Germany and Bulgaria and played a season with Bolton, so he may know some English. * Bobic was Stuttgart Sporting Director when they brought in William Kvist (Union DM target in preseason)
A Sporting Director is supposed to manage all soccer aspects of a team - in Philly's case, it would include 1st team players and coaching staff/trainers, USL team and coaching staff, academy teams and coaching staffs. He would also oversee, set the direction and likely have final say in the player acquisition process (transfers in/out, drafts, free agents) with the Technical Director (Albright) handling the day-to-day aspects of 1st team player acquisition. Sugarman wants to bring in someone similar on the business side of the Union house - Dave Rowan was promoted from his Chief Revenue Officer (head of Marketing & Sales) to run it on an interim basis. This role would oversee the non-soccer operations of the team (Finance, Marketing, Sales, Operations, Community & Charity work, etc.). They canned Rick Jacobs (VP - Community Affairs) as part of the Sak purge so Sugarman should have more $$ to put towards the Sporting Director.
This. I had the same thought (and hope) since Stewart seems like the more natural fit of the two at first glance, but Sugarman is (wisely) hedging his bets should he be unable to convince Stewart to leave AZ.
It's rumored that Kreis is going to be done at NYCFCFCFCFC. the new SD should grab him while they can.
@Dills There had also been rumors (originating from Shep Messing, so, yea..) about a switcheroo sending Kreis to Seattle and Sigi to NYCFC. NYCFC fans think he's at fault for their lackluster season (high expectations for an expansion side). I think there's also more-than-a-bit of structural dysfunction up here in New York, but the anti-Kreis camp doesn't find that exonerating.
NYC has a star power but a bad team. They signed three big name people (Mix, Lampard, and Pirlo) to play the same position.
The amount of time it takes to hire a sporting director (if it is short) and person it ends up being (if it is an impressive resume) could have the potential to tell us a lot about how big of an obsticle Sakiewicz was to bringing on a sporting director. If it turns out that Nick appears to have been the major stumbling block then it is assuredly one of the major things Sugarman was talking about in not seeing eye-to-eye with him on.